SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The Swarthmore College field hockey team (9-8, 4-6 CC) finished its season with a hard fought loss to rival Haverford College (13-4, 8-2 CC) by the score of 4-3. It was the final game for seniors Sophia Agathis, Julia Tallarico, Katie Teleky, Allison Ranshous, Catie Meador, and student-assistant Victor Brady, who were honored in a ceremony before the game.

The intense game began with a flurry of goals, with Swarthmore striking first. Junior Nia Jones ripped a shot to the back of the net in the ninth minute, assisted by Meador, the first of her two assists on the day. The Fords wasted no time responding, however, when sophomore Catherine Aronowitz capitalized on a corner in the 12th minute, assisted by senior Bridget Gibbons. In the 16th minute the Fords took the lead when junior Megan Holt redirected a cross in front of the net, which trickled under the outstretched arm of Swarthmore goalkeeper junior Gabby Capone, assisted by senior Mary Hobbs.

The Garnet responded immediately when play resumed, taking the ball from the center circle and forcing a corner in the 16th minute. The Garnet converted as junior Aarti Rao assisted sophomore Alexis Zavez for the equalizer. The game remained tied as Capone made four of her nine saves in the game to close the half, shutting the door on many Ford scoring opportunities.

Haverford was the first on the board in the second half as Hobbs was able to pick up a loose ball following a corner in the 37th minute. The Fords seemed to have control, but the Garnet defense remained strong, including two acrobatic saves by Capone in the 49th minute on shots delivered by junior Bryn Bissey.

The momentum carried into the 51st minute when the Agathis fired a shot past Haverford goalie senior Sydney Hyder, assisted by Meador. The teams remained deadlocked until the 66th minute when Bissey flipped an improbable shot over the head of Capone, assisted by Aronowitz.

The Garnet had two final chances in the 68th minute, the first when Rao took a shot that was just wide of the left post. The final opportunity came on a corner in the 68th minute, which Swarthmore was unable to connect on.

Despite an improved season, Swarthmore will not advance to the Centennial Conference playoffs; Haverford had previously clinched the No. 2 seed.